Wednesday, September 30, 2009

I had a similar post last year. I wrote all the things I was looking forward to in October. All I can say is that I love October because it brings me closer to November and December. And I've happily put up my Fall decorations in my brand new house that belongs to me. I have to say it's the best feeling in the world!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

I'm thinking of putting my arts and craft talentskills attempts to good use. Back at my old school I used to make jewelry and sell it. I did pretty good. I made cute, inexpensive bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Sometimes people requested things, and sometimes they bought from my stash. I've thought about expanding and using more expensive and finer beads to create more elegant pieces.Then there is also my second business endeavor of making greeting cards and invitations. I love, love, love to do this. I love to see people's faces when I make them a card. I love to sit and plan with people on the specifics of their invitations. I love color schemes and patterns and...ribbon, glitter, buttons, stickers. I love all of it. I will admit that I have yet to actually be paid for making invitations, but I have gotten paid for making a baby shower card.

In seriously considering this I run into a few dilemmas. When I make jewelry and cards I let the piece take me where it wants. I have to be inspired. And typically I'm making it with someone in mind so it sort of takes a shape of it's own. Making random pieces and cards will not come easy for me. Then the other problem is charging friends for things I made. I know that I need not to devalue the hard work I put into this but I don't want to seem money hungry. Yet, I am interested in making some profit. And it's quite time consuming to make a card and jewelry.

So...for any of you out there who may have already been there and done that I would appreciate your guidance, advice and tips tremendously. Or perhaps you can point me in the direction of someone. If you prefer to email me let me know and I will gladly correspond like that.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Sorry Bonnie for taking your word. Where have I been this week, you may ask? Not at work! This short, four day week I managed to make it to work half a day. You heard me right! .5 of one work week. How sad.

Picture this...Patty wakes up Saturday morning refreshed and happy. It's a 3 day weekend. Also, the night before she was out with her friends at a bar having a great time. She even karaoked!!! After getting the laundry started and cleaning up a bit it happens...that tired feeling out of nowhere. Patty tries ignore it continuing her weekend chores. But then it becomes too much and she MUST.TAKE.A.NAP. After her lovely siesta Patty wakes up achy and with the chills (and not the cool Grease kind). And sadly, two hours or so later her throat begins to feel bad. Naturally, Patty knows that every September she gets sick so she is prepared and takes her usual doses of medicine and continues her chores. BUT...later that night her body is so hot but she is so cold. She showers and calls it a night, taking a last dose of her meds. Somewhere in the middle of the night her fever breaks and she starts sweating up a storm. YUCK!!! Sunday comes and she wakes early to get ready for church. The only thought in Patty's mind is to get ready so she can drive 30 minutes to her mom's house for coffee before church. Why? Patty's throat hurts more than it ever has in her life. Fast forward to Tuesday...Patty does not go in to work. She goes to see the school district's nurse practitioner. Ms. Nurse doesn't want to call it strep throat but gives Patty antibiotics to treat strep throat. Patty misses school on Wednesday too. Fever and throat are still bad and Patty is a good teacher so she doesn't want to get her kids sick. Patty goes to work on Thursday morning but can't make it through the day. A visit to Ms. Nurse again and Patty has better pain meds for her throat. Prepared to brave work on Friday, Patty heads to sleep at about 9. She thinks, "One day of work isn't so bad. I have a training in the morning so it's just really the afternoon." Or so she thought. At about 10 Patty wakes up to go potty and feels that her left eye is wet and sticky. "HUH!?! Oh %#@*!!! NOT PINK EYE!!!!!!" Indeed it is pink eye. So for the third time in 4 days Patty goes to Ms. Nurse for medicine. Needless to say that Patty was ordered to go home. No training today.

And that is the story of my .5 day work week. What my principal must be thinking...Luckily, I have an amazing grade level, literacy coach (Jen) and had a great sub.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

I was on Facebook catching up with friends when I linked over to my friend's new blog. I am so excited and proud that she has decided to tackle the giant task of training for a marathon. What I'm most impressed with is that she by no means is your "marathon usual" person. She, like so many of us, is not in the best physical shape. And somehow I believe she will do exactly what she sets out to do.

And so now I am lost in thought at how hard it is for me to get motivated in losing weight. I know that for those of you that have read my blog for a while you know how I've tried over,and over to beat the obesity demon but just can't. And so I asked myself what is the difference between those that succeed and those that do not? What did they do that the others did not? I know for me I've realized that I make justifications excuses that lead to my failure. Everything from how expensive eating healthy is to lack of support. Oh and not to mention that being a teacher doesn't help. Often we are "buttered" up with sweets and mountains of sugary, sweet things.

And to be honest, I'm not sure what my purpose in writing this post was. Was it for input? Was it to just put down on paper, err on the internet, a more solid plan? Or was it just to clear my head? In the end, I think God will unveil his plan for me. Yet as I'm about ready to to publish this post I've had one last thought. I know that I can be healthier, and I know that I want to live longer, but is it also possible that I am happy exactly the way I am? And maybe, just maybe that was God's plan all along.

Dear God,I know that I've had many such conversations with you about what my place is in this world. I wonder if I'm really doing what you set out for me to do. And now I'm adding one more question. In a world where most people are so health conscious, is it possible to just be happy even though I know I am unhealthy? Is that part of your plan too?Terribly confused,PattyNote: I'm sorry to those who may be offended that I just publicly posted my letter to God.